Art of casting



R. MOLDENKE ART 0F CASTING Fired sept. .1 1922 s sheets-sneer 1 ocr. 2a, 1924. l 1,512,996

R. MDLDENKE I ART OF CASTING Filed Sept. 1, 1922 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN T Ul?.

I f 1,512,996 R. MOLDENKE ART OF' CASTING Filed Sept. 1, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet'3 `I l ,I iJfJ, i,iilililiil Illlllllllllllllll! latented @et 28, i924.

s'rArEsg islas i RICHARD MOLDENKE, OF WATCHUNG, NEW JERSEY.

Aar or cesrrne.

Application filed September 1, 1922.' Serial No. 585,590.

To all 10.71.0771.v it may concern.: s v

Be it known that I, RICHARD MonnnNKn,

a citizen ot' the United States, residing` at llatchung, in the county of Somerset and State of New Jersey, have invented certain` new and useful Improvements in the Art of Casting, of which the following is a specification. f

This invention relates to the art of 'casting metals and while not restricted to use 1n connection With the casting ott any particu-` lar metal is especially intended to` enable the production of accurately dimensioned castings of all kinds. i y

The automatic moldingmachine which is now extensively used in 'foundries has greatly increased foundry production and has also, Vin a measure, reduced the manual labor ot the operative along certain lines, .but has increased his labor along otherlines. lVhereas a man might formerly make by hand labor, say l0() molds daily, and he had the added labor ot parking the molds over some considerable space and eventually carry iron to pour them ott, today yhemakes probably SGO ot the same moldsk by machine,

and while the heavy work ot rammingup sand has been almost entirely veliminated, he has now to park moldsand carry iron three times the dead weight, as well as walk three times as far back and forth as was formerly the case. Hence the continued avoidance ot our youth of vappren-y ticeship in the 'foundry and ther ditiicultyot holdingmolders.

The object of the present invention is toovercome much .ot this labor handicap and to moreover produce a simple, highly eilt cient and thoroughly practical casting mold adapted to take the place ot the ordinary iask systems embodying a cope and dragclamped together and housing thetamped or rammed sand.

further object of the invention is to' so construct the mold that it is adaptedv to house just suliicient sand as is necessary to properly form the mold cavity and to fill out the contines of the mold with spacingor filler members which entirely surround the sand in which the mold cavity is rtorn'ied and are so constructed that when the mold invention, they kmaybe simplyk rammed or closed, the spacing' elements will `be iirmly held togetherk and will in turn maintain the cavity forming sand in proper conditionand positioned against in@ advertent shitting andy ferrostatic pressure developed during the pouring.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the filling' or'- spacing elements that they ymay bemade ot metal or other suitable substance in such mamier'y to properly vent the mold cavity and to so shape and proportion vthese iiller elements that they are adapted for repeated use in such numbers and .combinations as may be required casting diterent shapes. l

The container portion or" this invention, which corresponds to the flask of the prior art, ispreterab-ly yso constructed that the cavity forming sand and filler elementsmay be built up ,or assembled in substantially complete ytorni and the container parte there after set up about the iinished assembly and tightly clamped together 'for the purpose ot" enabling the entireconstruction to bebendled as a unit and atlthe same time to lirmlyl hold all the componentparts in tight-ly assembled condition..

The cavity forming` sand referred to/"is preferablyl either prepared molding sand tordry-sand work, or a core-sand mixture. In practisingI the'"invention,xv` this sandy is preferably rammed yor formedpinto the del sired shape or shapes toorm thefmold in the core room of the foundry, 'just sutlicient sand being'used to properly house the mold cavity or cavities and this having been `accomplished, 'the sand elements thus formed baking to render them easily transportable.

ln fact, yit islrhighly practical to construct these sand elements in the ,sameman'ner .now

- generally' practised for the making ot cores,`

`are treated in any suitable manner asbyKV sand mixture employed, the sand elements Y are kept at a 'minimum thiclmess necessary to effectively yand 'safely hold the moltenK metal, and also at ra minimum weight; and the work of making them can `be easily carried on at a bench, the operatives remani-y ing seated during the operation, in contradistinctionto the heavy 'and laborious taskot making sand in a flask about patterns. In the majority ot' instances, patterns are not ref quired in making,I the sand elements of this otherwise formed in suitable core-boxes, this llU After the sand elements have been constructed inthe manner described, they are positioned in the mold of this invention and the intervening space between the sand elements and the interior faces of the mold aie filled with filling' elementsof which a large variety of sizes and shapes may be einployed. The particular filler elements used .may be decided upon by the engineering corps of the foundry which gives a relatively unskilled workman instructions as to what filler blocks are to be used by numbers. rThe relatively light finished sand elements can thus be transported readily to the casting room and thereassembled by unskilled help, enclosed in the container parts, clamped and the pouring proceeded'with.

. .Features of the invention, other than those specified, will be apparent from the fa mold embodying the present invention,

said section being taken in the plane v'of line 1-1 of Figure 2. f

Figure 2 is a view takenon the broken line 2--2 of Figure 1, showing the right r hand half of the mold of Figure 1 in plan and the left hand half tion. f

Figure 3 isa fragmental section of one of the end plates of the mold.

Figure 4 is .a fragmental face view of the interior of the plate shown in Figure 3; and, v

Figure 5 is .a perspective view of .one of the liller members illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,; and, Y Y

Figure Gis a section perspective of two cooperating sandsections forming a mold cavity. f y y The mold of the present invention instead of embodying the usual cope vrand .drag as heretofore .is preferably constructed of four wall elements, which collectively constitute a box-,like structure or container in which the sandand associated filler elements are housed. Thebox-like structure referred to comprises six wall elements, of which l designates the bottom, 2 the top 3 and Ll the ends Vand 5 and 6 the sides.

VIn practice, these wall elements `may be made in the form .of castings suitably cored out or ribbed to minimize weight, but to produce a strong Land rigid construction. The inner faces of each of the walls, which are presented to the filler elements being made prefectly flat and preferably in the of such mold iii secform of true plane surfaces. Those portions of the walls, however, which come into abutting relation with adjacent walls are angularly disposed with reference to the plane faces of thevbox-like interior for the purpose of facilitating` the assembly of the parts. For example, the four marginal portions of the inner face of each end wall 3 and 4 are sloped as shown at 7 in Figures 1, 2 and 3, while the four kedges of the two sides 5 and 6 are similarly sloped as shown at 8 in Figure 2. In a similar manner, the two opposite ends of each of the bottom and top 1 and 2 are likewise sloped or bcvelled as shown at 9 in Figure l. As a result of this construction, it will be apparent .that if the top and bottom walls are positioned between the two end walls, as shown in .F ig-V ure 1, and pressure is applied to the twoend walls to force them in a directiontowa-rd one another, the sloped or beveled edges and 9 of the respective parts'will result in a wedging effect and which will tend and in practiceactually force the bottom 'and top 1 and 2 in a ydirection toward one another.

In like manner, the formation of the side walls 5 and 6 with their beveled edges 8 will also bring about the .same result. That is to say, the drawingy of the two ends 3 and d together will simultaneously force the side walls 5 and 6 toward one another. Itwill therefore be apparent that if yall of the walls of the mold are assembled and the end walls thereafter forced in a direction toward one another by clamps or other suitable means. the four longitudinal walls of the resulting box-like structure will be forced Vinwardly by the wedging action referred to Yand-have a compressing eect upon ythe contents of such box-like construction, so that such contents will be forced into Vcompacted cond-ition. v l i In accordance with this invention, the box-like. structure referredV to is adapted to contain vand house sand elements of less dimensions than the interior dimensions of such structure, the intervening space 'being filled out by filler or spacing members.'

yln practice, the mold cavity is formed in sand elements which may be molded of ordinary moldingv sand, but are preferably of prepared molding Jsand for dry sand work or a core sand mixture, these various mixtures and prepared molding sands being well .known in the prior ,art and particularly used for ythe makingof cores. I employ this character of sand element in order toenable the mold cavities to ybe made,

linished .and baked in a room especially =intended for this purpose, s-uch, for example. as the core room of a foundry, there to be laid aside or stored until required for use.

LThelfinaking of lthese sand elements is accomplished independently of the box-like' lll) J nold structure reterred to and may be made in the same way as cores'have been 'hereto fore constructed.

This manner of producing the sand elements entirely eliminates the arduous and slow task of tainping molding sand directly -within a mold to be left therein for casting.

give them body and pieclude the passagey of the excessive heat of molten metal therethrough. i i

This method of making the sand elements permits of a degree o-f accuracy which cannot possibly be obtained through vtheprior tainping methods, since such elements may be made in steel dies, as used in die casting processes, Aand which will assure of absolute accuracy. The use of dies in the making of the sand elements is particularly applicable when quantity production is desired and has the advantage of producing` such accurate castings that subsequent machining operations are rendered unnecessary. The accuracy of die casting is approached very closely when castings are made in sand elements constructed as described and employed in the. mold of this invention. f

In the accompanying drawings, several sand elements made in the manner described are illustrated and bear the reference character 10. They are shown as positioned within the box-like structure of the mold, while the intervening space between the sand elements and the innerk confines of the mold are filled out with filling or spacing blocks 11. These filling and spacing blocks are in practice provided in assorted sizes and shapes, so as to permit the filling out of the mold through the employment of appropriate filler blocks. I find it highly practical to number the blocks or otherwise designate them, so that the eiigineering department of the foundry can, in the otlice,deter mine what blocks are to be employed in conjunction with any particular' casting `iob and a diagram may be furnished to the workman showing the blocks by numbers, so that he is simply required to go to the storeroom, get the blocks by numbers and'assemble them as shown in the diagram. Noskill is required for this work andthe cost of casting as heretofore practiced through'the employment of highly skilled workmen is minimized in the manner specified;

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate very clearly how a plurality of sand elements may be assembled to permit the pouring'ofseveral castings at oneV operation. The top' wall element 2 of the mold is preferably provi( ed with one or more pouring openings 12, each ofwhich is adapted tobe associated with a- 1 pouring basin 14,k preferably comprising two sectionsy ywhich interlock with the ytop wall as yshown andare held in' assembled relation by means of a wedge'ring 15. The pouring basin 14 is lined with a suitable refractory material 16, which, in practice, may be of molding sand, ycore sand or a molding sand `mixture and may be made in the saine manner as the sand elements 10 referred to. rlhe molten metal is conveyed from each pouring f basin 14 through sand elements 17 and 18 constitutingsprue sections to the runner 19, which is formed between adjacent sand elements v10.` The runner 19 in each case yis shown as extending transversely of the mold and from the lateral edges of said runner the several cavities 10a are adapted to be fed' kthrough gates 20.

It is'preferable in most eases that the molten metal does not comel in `contact with anyvofthe metallic filler pieces, and, accordingly, where itis necessary small sand ller pieces, such as shown `at 21 may be employed to protect the metallic illcr pieces from Contact with molten metal.

The drawings illustrate the manner in which two' distinct pourings may be carried out tomake two distinct sets of castings in one mold, but, in practice,-this may be varied as the particular case may'require and as will rbe apparent to those skilled in the art;

f The generallyy asfollows. The bottom 1 is laid upon a table of convenient height 'to permit a workman to either stand or sit while effecting the assembly and thereafter the filler blocks and sand elements 10, 21, 18 and the necessary cofres 22 are built up on the bottom 1 after the manner of assembling building blocks. If the proper filler blocks are used as may be designated by the engineering department, the complete assembly ot the sand elements and 'llcr blocks will be such that after said assembly is Icompleted1 the top wall 2 and the side and end walls 3, 4l, 5 and k6 may be set up around the asseinbly and` clamps or other clamping means applied to the end walls to draw them` in a directiony toward one another. ationwillsimultaneously foi'ce the top wall toward the'bottom wall andthe two side walls towardone another as hereinbefore described, for the purpose of contracting the confines' of the mold and forcing the fillerb-locks and sand into tight engagement with oneanothei, so that shifting Vbetween the parts is yrendered absolutely impossible. It will ofcourse be apparent that before This -oper- Y bringing the top wall@ into position, sprue After the parts have been assembled in `this manner, the mold is ready for cast-ing and molten metal introduced .int-o the pouring basin will flow through sprue sections 17 and 18 `into the runner 191and ythence through several gates into the mold cavities 10a. After the pouring operation is concluded and the molten metal has set, the pouring basins 14 arefremovedand a sharp knock Vwill vcause the breaking` vof the sprne so that the parts may be dismantledby reversingthe operations described except that the removal of all of the Velements ofthe mold Ais not essential in the eventfthat it is desired to lproceed with further casting operations. Only a suflicient numberaof these elements lmay be "taken ont to permit of the the removal of the casting. In practice, the sand elements may, iii-many instances, be used repeatedly, although any Vof them which are damaged or broken should be replaced before further pouring. :Thesprue sections 17 andthe Vlinings 16 of :the pour ing basins may be stock moldings of sand or any other suitable nonwarping refractory material and the particular kind =of lining 16 and sprue section 17 maybe employed to make a large variety of castings, .thepart-icular runners or gating vdesired being worked out to sniteach particularfcase.

In practice', the 'lining' 16 and the sprue element 17 may be Vmade in sections so as to Vpermit their removal fromV the solidified pool in the basin and'sprue at the conclusion of the casting operation Without necessitating the breakage ofthese refractoryparts.

`'It-is highly important in the art of casting to provide for proper venting of the mold cavities, so ythat the air :in :the moldr and the gases generated during-the casting operation may find rapid exitand notspoil the castings. This feature is accomplished in the prescntinvention in 4a novel .and

are formed, so that when 'theelements areassembled within the six walls of the mold, the grooves of adJacent element-s will be juxtaposed with one another as shown best in Figures 1 and 2 and formcircular pas.V

sages leading to the exteriorrof'the mold.

In practice, preferably groove all the' faces of all of the filler elements, as Well',V

as the interior faces or wall elements or plates, though l .find it unnecessary to groove the sand elements' externally. The sand elements are sufliciently porous to permit thepassageo-fair or gases therethrough and such air or gases are free to vent to the atmosphere through Vvthe "channels or grooves 23described. The thicker .sand elemen-ts may if .desired lb e vented fin rany suitable rway as by providing .channels for the escape vof gases v without permitting sthe exit of molten metal. I have found-.how-

ever, that for the general run lof work the venting of all but the upper sandelements by employing channels thereiniis not necessary. Y

rlfhe filler blocks employed in the can rying out of the present invention have been specically referred to as of metaland when so constructed are preferably cored and ribbedV as shown lto minimize weight.

Cast iron, aluminum or anyrother suitable metal mayy be employed in their `construction,V and other materials 7than `metals .may

be used. For example, .pressedgas carbon or any other like, but suiiiciently strong and suitable `materialimay be used 1in Qlieu of metal for the manufacture ofthe filler blocks. rThepresence ofthe venting grooves in practice makes it immaterial of 'what then filler blocks are made provided they hold their shape, are not easily damaged and are generally handy.- Y f So far as I am aware l am the first'to Yprovide the venting grooves `of the character described and know that they may be usedto advantage in someof themethods. Y

now `in vogue. Accordingly, I do not limit the use of these venting grooves toY the other details of this invention, but consider them -broadly only.'Y 4

' lInV casting cored objects, suitable cores are employed described and if desired proper registration of differentfsections of the mold cavity sand elementsv may :be 'cast to interfit yfor the purpose offsecuring accurate alinement or registration, A.for e3 ample as shown in Figure -6 or Vin any other suitable waygV so that accurate freg-Y istration will 'be maintained .at 44all times and the assembly ofthe sandelements :forniing the mold-cavity Vmay be expedited vand facilitated. y

From the `foregoingdetailed description of the .invent-ion in its preferred form, the mold isshown as of rectangular formation and the several ller Velements entering 7into the mold construction are shown -oflight section. This is the preferred'man'ner of practicing the present invention, but I am aware however that shapes other than Athat shown may be used either as regards 'the shape of the mold Walls -or plates, but as to the filler elements and sand elements. The shape of these elements will depend largely upon the article to be cast, though the rectangular form is preferred whenever possible as the constituent elements ofthe mold may be more expeditiously and easily assembled.

It is recommended, however, that whatever the shape of the plates or wallslof the mold, that the outer shape of the sand elements correspond thereto. That is to say, if the walls of the mold form a rectangular box-like chamber, the exterior surfaces of the sand elements should also be ofrectangular shape irrespective of the shape of the mold cavity formed therein. rlhis enables the .filler blocks or cores of parallel sides to be used to fill out the mold and greaty facilitates the building up of the combination. If the inner face of the mold walls were curved and the outer faces of the sand elements plane or vice versa, diliiculty would 'be experienced in properly filling out the interposed spaces. However, if the outer contour of the sand elements are rectangular and the inner confines of the mold rectangib lar the intervening space may be readily filled in by rectangular blocks or filler pieces. v

I have referred at more or less length to the employment of pouring basins, which, as shown in the drawings, are mounted on the top plate of the mold in a detachable manner. may be made of different sizes and shapes and may be associated with the moldas occasion may require. This is a far better construction than would be produced by forming the pouring basinsintegral with the top plate for reasons which will be manifest to those skilled in the art. The attachment of a removable pouring basin to the top plate eliminates special runner boxes and .minimizes the height of the mold since the mold would have to be made higher to accommodate its basin if formed directly within the top plate. The top plate may be provided with a number of openings12, so as to permit pouring basins to be associated with different parts of thetop plate in accordance with the positions in which the runners or ruimer may be placed inthe mold, but in the drawings I have shown only two such openings for the purpose of illustration. f

Also of special practical importance is the use of the removable sprue sections 17 and 18 and the lining 16, which are prefer-l ably made in two parts or split'andmay be referred to as tubular blocks for use in the pouring sprue or as parts of the risers. When these parts are made in this manner, they may, in many instances, be dismantled after casting without breakage and can fthen be re-used. If they were formed solid, the sprue would have to be broken oli' first with the result that these vparts would probably be broken and rendered unfit fer tart/hause the appended claims. In practice, these pouring basins' I haveheretofore described different ways of making up of the sand through the use of dies, molds or otherwise and through the use of core materialor other substances. I

have yfound in'many instances, where they particular shaping of the casting will per manner. Alfterl the firsty cost ofoutlitting y the shop with molds embodying the presentinvention with the filler pieces of assorted sizes, sand forming means, etc., a shop may be run at a 'relatively low cost, but with asi tonishing high production. l am aware, however, that certain features of the invention may beemployed without necessarily employing them all and accordingly theinventionis not restricted to the specific showing of the drawings, vbut is to be understood as broadly novel as isy commensurate with Having thus fully `described the invention, whatI claim asnew andk desire to secure by LettersV Patent, is:

1. f casting mold embodying a container,

.an element of refractory material provided therein with a lmold cavity, positioned within the container and of smaller sine thanthe inner confines of the container, metallic filler blocks assembled within the container and filling out the space therein Whichis not occupied by the' refractory mold cavity element, and means for forcing the ,filler blocks into tight rigid relation with said element; Y

L2. A castingk mold embodying abou-like container rthe interior of which constitutes a substantially, `closed chamber, a refractory element of smaller .size lthan the inner conlines of the container, positioned within the container and provided interiorly with a mold cavity, `filler blocks positioned within not occupied ,within :the container by the moldcavity element,y andk means for forcing they ller blocks into tight rigid relation with said element.

A casting mold embodying a box-lile container the interior of which constitutes a substantially closed chamber, a refractory element of smaller size than the inner confinesof the container, positioned Within the ycontainer and provided interiorly with'` a mold cavity, nller blocks positionedv within the .Container aber@ the refretery nel@ lthe container and about the refractory mold cavity` element -to lill out the space which is cavity' element to hli'out the space Which is not occupied within the container hy the mold cavity element, the Walls ofthe mold cavity elementy being relatively thin but of suiiic'ient thickness to preclude burning of theY filler blocks hy molten metal introduced into the moldcavity. anduneans for forcing the filler blocks into tight rigid relation With said element.

4. A casting` mold embodyingl a container having,- a rectangular interior constituting a substantially closed chamber', a cliamijered element of refractory ,material of`r less size than the interior of the container, positioned r Within the container and provided interiorly with a inoldicavityf, thevv exterior of said element being substantially rectangular, and

rectangular filler lolocl's above,- loeneath, and

beside-'saidelement for iifllingfout the space Vvv'lrichis unoccupied Within the `container by Vniensions than the interior confines of the container, positioned` W-itlrin the container and provided interiorly with moldcavity, iiiler ele-ments'l1 or spacing the mold cavity element fronrthewvalls of' the container, a metallic pouring basin exteriorly of the container and having anonm'e'tallic refractory lin"V a lfeed ductofncinnetallic refractory mate ialleading-froin the basin-through one wall of the box-like containerv toY the inletof the mold cavity, whereby inoltenmetal may be introduced into the mold cavity from the exterior ofthe containerv Without' coming Vinto contact With the container or they filler elementsn Y 7. A; casting moldemhodyingx a hex-,like container, a1 reiractory element"` orlessl dimensions than the interiorV contines of the e container container, p'osi'tioned*Within and provided interiorlyvvith afineldcavity, fillerH elements for spacingtiie mold cavity element from tliefwalls ofthe: container, metallic'pouring` basin exteriorly* ofthe conn tainer and having; a nonmetallic refractory lining, a feed ductio'f nonmetallic refractory material leadinw from thebasin through oney Wall ofthe boxlilre container to the inlet-of Y the nioldicavitv,*whereby molten metal may beintrodnced into the mold cavityfroni the exterior of the container Without coming intoA` Contact With* the containerv 011 the )filler elements, said duct being` formed in a plurality of sections to facilitate assembling'- and removal of the parts.

8. A casting mold embodying acontainer, a plurality of refractory elements, each of Which is provided nfitha mold cavity, positioned Withinthe container and onlyY partially filling` `the interior thereof, additional refractory elemei'its havingiunner' passages connecting the several mold cavities, and a plurality of filler elements positioned yivithin the container and filling out the Aspace therein unoccupiedhy the mold cavity and runner elements. y v y 9. A casting mold embodyinga-conta-iner, a plurality of l independent refractory` elements, cach of' which is pro-videdf With an independent mold cavity, positioned Within the container and only partially filling` the interior thereof, a plurality of| filler elements positioned Within the-'container and filling out the space therein unoccupied' by the mold cavity elements, andan inlet duct leading from the exterior ofthe container to the inlets of av plurality of independent moldv cavities and formed vfrom refractory material, whereby moltenV nieta'l may he fed to a plurality of said mold CaV-itiesWit-hout coming into contact with the, filler elements.

l0. A casting moldembodying` container, ay plurality of independent refrac tory elements, each of Which is provided with an independent mold cavity, positioned Within the container and-only partially filling the interior thereof, a plurality ofiller elements positioned Within the container and fillingv out the space therein unoccupied by the mold cavity elements, andan inlet duct leading? from the exterior of-the'container to the inlets vof a plurality of independent mo'ld cavities and :formed from refractory material, whereby molten metal may he fed to a plurality of said mold cavities Without coming` into contact with the filler elements, andl said duet being formed of a plurality of sections to facilitate as sembly and removalof the parts'.

1l. Ak casting mold einbodyingy a' container, a refractory element of non-metallic material positioned Within' the container and provided With a nioldcavityf, anda duct leading` from the exterior of the-con through one Wall thereof an'Y through the inlet' to Ythe -rnold cavity, dnctjb v ing- Vof non-metallic refractory material and for-ined of a plurality ofl longitudinal sections through ywhich molten-l metal may he poured int-o the mold'cavity, at least onerofivhich longitudinal sections isdiv'idedila'terally into a plurality of lateral sections to perinit removal of; said' lateral .sections fro'in the metal Which has hardened therein' after tion of said lateral sec-tions'.

12: a casting midi eaitedying'fa coatainer, a plurality of refractory elements Within the container and providing a plurality of mold cavities, ,and a metal inlet duct leading from the exterior of the container to the inlets of a plurality of mold cavities and comprising a plurality'of assembled longitudinal sections of refractory non-metallic material.

13. A casting mold embodying a container, a refractory element housed Within the container and provided with a mold cavity, a pouring basin detachably mounted on the exterior of the container and pro vided with a refractory lining divided transversely into a plurality of sections, means for normally maintaining the pouring basin and its lining in assembled relation on the container, and a duct of refractory material leading from the pouring basin to the inlet of the mold cavity, Whereby the pouring basin and its lining may be dismantled after the pouring operation to facilitate the removal of these parts from such metal as may have solidified in the basin Without damage to the basin or its lining.

111.A casting mold embodying a container, a refractory element/housed Within the container and providedy with a mold cavity, a po-uring basin detachably mounted on the exterior of the container and 'provided with `a refractory lining .divided transversely into a plurality of sections, means for normally maintaining the pouring basin and its lining in assembled relation on the container, and a duct` .of refractory material leading from Lthe vpouring basin to the. inlet. of the ino-ld cavity, said duct constituting a spruechannel of va plurality of longitudinal sections certain -of which are transversely divided into the lat eral sections, whereby, after the pouring ,op eration, the pouring basin, together `with its lining and the sprue sections, may be readily removed from such metal as may have -solidified therein Without damage to the container, and filler elements between the` mold cavity element and the Walls of the container for spacing the mold `cavity element Within the container, said filler elements having grooved surfaces to permit the escape of airand gases from the mold cavity element.

17. yA casting mold embodying a coi'itainer,l a porous' element positioned therein and `having a mold cavity, and non-porous ele-r mentsfor spacing the'po-rous element from the `Walls of the container,V the exterior of 'permit such air and gases to freely escape from the interior thereof. Y

A 19. A filler element for use in a casting mold comprising a rigid body, the exterior surfaces of which are grooved.

20. ,A filler element for ,use in a casting mold comprising al rigid body having grooved plane surfaces.

21. A fillerv elementk for use in a casting mold comprising al rigid rectangular body, the surfaces of which are provided with "grooves extending parallel to the-edges of each surface. l

v22.3Afiller Velement for use in a casting moldk comprising Va rigid block, all the surfaces of which are provided with equally spaced grooves.

23.,A, mold embodying a plurality of separable wa'llsshaped to have Wedging engagement with one another when assembled.

24. A mold embodying a plurality of separablev Walls adapted to be assembled to form a container, those portions of the several Walls-Which engage with adjacent Walls being shaped to have Wedging engagement Wit-lione another. l

25. A mold embodying a plurality of f separable Walls adapted to be assembled to form a closed container, those portions Vof the several Walls which engage with adjacent Walls being shaped to have Wedging engage- Y v ment with one another, and one of the Walls being providedk with an opening tlnoughy which molten metal may be passed into the interior ofthe container. t

27. A mold embodying six separable Walls shaped -to have Wedging engagement Lli lef)

with one another when assembled and adapt# ed to vform asubstantially closed chamber. 28. A mold embodying a plurality of separable Walls adapted to he assembled to,

:form a container, two oppositely positioned walls being shaped for wedgingcoa-ction 'with theremaini-ng walls, whereby pressure may be applied to saidopposite walls to effeet a weldging action between these andthe remaining walls: j Y

29. A mold embodying a pluralityv of separablewalls adapted tobe assembled: to form a container, two oppositely positioned walls beingy so shaped that when forcedto-V ward-one another they willieXert a wedging action on the remaining walls to bring about aV contraction` of the y interior dimensions of the mold andplace the contentsl of the-mold vunder compression.

30, A mold embodying aplurality of sepplurality of tiller blocks assembled inbuilt up relation upon the bottom plate, and below the top plate, and four side plateshaving` their marginal portions-'vbeveledtolcooperate with the'bevels of thef top andi-bottonrplatesf and adapted' to cooperate with said top and bottom plates torform' a substantially closedv container wherein, when pressure is applied to two opposite side walls to force themV toward oney another, the two other opposite side walls as well as the top and bottom'plates will exert' pressure on the refractory element and filler blocks to form aftight and rigid assembly. A casting mold embodying abottom plate, a refractory element provided witl'i^ a moldjcarv'ity, and'v a plurality' of! iller ele ments" grouped-` upon" thebott'oln plate;L a topplate superimposed oir the-,meldt cavity element: andthe-filler blocks, and tour' side walls cooperating with' Vthe topf and bottom plates toy house .the fillerx blocks and@ mold cavity element, in asubstantially closed chamber.

34. Arnold embodyingtwo opposite'ly po:- sitioned walls; the marginal4 portions of which are' d'islied,v andkk tour: other walls adaptedto extend between thesaid two opposite walls 'and having-their oppositeends beveled tov cooperateI with thedis-fliedA-margins ofsaidoppositewalls, whereby pressure appliedto said two opposite; walls to force them toward one? another will cause eachv t-'wo opposite walls of the four remaining walls' tobe forcedtoward one-'another'.

35. Al flask provided externally with a metallic pouring basinhaving anonmetallic. refractory lining, botli'the basin and lin-` ing being transverse-ly Vdivided into a plu# ralitfy of' lateral sections, andimeans for detachably maintainingjthe sections in'assembled relation during charging of the flask whereby the sections of `4the'basin and lining maybe partedfandiremoved from the Vsprue without damage to the' basin or: its lining. Y

36. A Haskfprovided externallyv with Va metallic pouring` basin having ay nonmetallic refractory lining, sai'dbasin with 'its lining being detacliably mounted on the Hask andv both the' basinandlining'being transversely dividedinto a`- plurality ot'y lateral` sections, means for detachably main-v taining the sections assembled with relation to one another andinfposition on the V(lask during the charging ot' the flask, whereby the sections of the basin andkv lining may be parted ad removed from the flask andsprue without damage tothe basin or its lining.

ln testimony lwhereof I have signed the foregoing speciication.

RICHARD l MonDENKn. 

